The inner city in the 1950s was a thriving, active and exciting place to be in most large American cities. Two things destroyed the nascent black middle class which had adopted all the "right" values, and which could have been the spearhead of a potential racial harmony which was unfortunately never realized. First, the LBJ-led handouts. This is old hat. Second, not so well-known, the Interstate highway system ripped out the heart of many established neighborhoods just as the residents were becoming economically powerful. It was a bad idea, implemented on a racially unfair basis, and we're still paying for it.
These two well-meaning programs were the two most destructive things that have happend to the American city. War on Poverty, indeed. More like War on the Poor.
And you wonder why I don't like anyone screwing around with the social ecology, especially politicians and right-wing religious zealots with an agenda? The Road to Hell is paved with good intentions, that's why.
But, hey, I'm still a Republican, albeit a nervous one, and I'm voting for W, so I guess we're not all that far apart, are we? |
